Textile and Apparel Science

Sinter Coated Environmental Protection Garments (EPG) Shell Textiles for Lunar Extravehicular Activity (EVA)

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Abstract

The purpose of this research was to develop sintered particle coated textile for future Environmental Protection Garment (EPG) shell that would provide dust protection. The researchers used three candidate EPG textile fabrics, i.e., Ortho-Fabric, woven Teflon®, and woven Spectra®, as the sintering substrates. Powder materials for sintering were selected to match the fabric materials: PTFE particles were sintered on Ortho-Fabric and Teflon® fabric, and UHMWPE powders were sintered on Spectra® fabric. The researchers tested textiles’ dust penetration, dust adherence, thickness, stiffness, air permeability and abrasion resistance. Sinter coating can reduce dust penetration and dust adherence for all three fabrics. Sintering does not significantly change the stiffness of the Ortho-Fabric and Teflon® fabric, but significantly increased the stiffness of Spectra® fabric. Sintering also significantly increased abrasion resistance for Teflon® fabric. Sinter coating has the potential to provide superior dust protection for EPG shell textiles. 

Keywords: Polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE), Ortho-Fabric, Teflon®, Spectra®

How to Cite:

Ludwig, K., Cao, H., Wagner, N., Dombrowski, R. & Hobbs, E., (2025) “Sinter Coated Environmental Protection Garments (EPG) Shell Textiles for Lunar Extravehicular Activity (EVA)”, International Textile and Apparel Association Annual Conference Proceedings 82(1). doi: https://doi.org/10.31274/itaa.21649